Retort-bench.



G. H. NILES.

HETORT BENCH.

APPLxcArioN FILED MAY Il. 1914.

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G. H. NILES.

RETORT BENCI'..

APPLICAUQH mm MAY H, 1914` 1 ,l 85,602, Patented May 30, 1916 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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G. H. NLES.

RTRT BENCH.

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i specification.

A i-iNirEDsfrA'rE-s PATENT onirica.

H. NILES, OF RIDGEFIELD PABX., NEW' JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO TEE IlIPll-OVED l EGUITMENTCGMPANY, 0F YORK, E. Y., A CORPORgT-ION OF COLORADO.

RETORT-BENCH.

Toall whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, GLENN H. Ninse, a Vcitizen of lthe United States, residing at Ridgefield Park, in the county of BergenY and State of New Jersey, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Retort-Benches, of which the following is a This invention relates to retort benches; and it comprises a carbonizing and gas making apparatus, such as a g'as bench, prol vided with one or more sectional retorts and .supporting means for holding said retorts and their sections in locked engagement, said means comprising a particular type of collar or ange on the several sections of the retort 'oron one or more of segments constiftuting such sections; all as more fully here- .inafter set forth and as claimed.

f .thereby securing a gravity-aided feed of coal therethrough; but there are a number of mechanical disadvantages attendant on the use of this type. The whole thrust of the retort is directly downward and outward against one wall of the combustion chamber vor housing surrounding the rctorts, and the retorts have a further tendency to creep with expansion and contraction under changes of temperature. provide a firm and permanentsetting for inclined retorts of the usual types. Whatever type of vertical supports. intermediate the ends of the retort be used it is difficult to distribute the load of the retorts upon them in the way practicable with horizontal retorts.` In the prior art attempts have been made to obviate this by providing recesses or a pair of spaced lugs or the like on 'the retorts'at .intervals to engage the intermediatesupports. This'however does not have the desired result since if 'the lugs or recesses 'fltvthe vertical supporting member closely thelatter receives the side thrust of the vweight of the retort and if they do not fitI closely there isl no special lugS- Formerly retorts were generally integral;

function to the were made of a single body of ceramic material, iron,- etc.

Speclncation of Letters Patent.

This renders it dilicult tol Patented May 30, 1916.

l Application'iiled May 11, 1914. Serial No. 837,871.

enables the use for retorts of highly refractory silica or silicious materials which could only be with difiiculty made into an integral retort of large size. These materials are highly refractory and they are better' heat conductors than clay. Generally these retorts are composed. of several sections in end-to-end abutment and each of these is in turn composed of slab-like segments of such. form that when they are laterally united they give a retort of the usual shape. 'lhese built-up retorts' are however mainly used in a horizontal position since their sectional structure adds new difficulties to those 'already incident to the employinentof inclined retorts. y

It is one of theobjects of the present invention to enablethe utilization of the advantages of these sectional silica retorts in inclined retort benches. making the retorts l provide the several sections of each retort at one or both ends'with a flange-like collar of a shape'giving horizontal bearing surfaces above and below in the inclined position-of the retort and provide vertical supporting elementsl not only adapted to engage these bearing surfaces in sucli manner as to give a direct upwa'rd support but also adapted to give a sidcwise locke ing engagement holding the section-seg-v To this end, in

ments in place in the supportingwalls of' the bench. l/Vith this structure, the built-up formation of the retorts is not only not adisadvantage in an inclined bench but is. an advantage since vit enables a good distribution of thrusts. In effect, each section, oi subretort, may be independentlysupported at its ends and bystepping the abutting ends, the joints may be sealed in an advantageous way. Y

Advantageously, for my purposes theretorts are made of as many sections 'along' their length as there are intended to be ver-' tical supports, with the joint or seam comt ing at the point of support. This enables the support to cover the joint and permits a relatively loose mutual engagement of the ioo several sectionswith a sliglit'amouiit of end- Y ios- Segmellts or slabs having interlocking sides 110i.

and in engagement forming an annular D-shaped retort of the usual shape. l ha ve found that if l mold these several retort sections in such a way as to give a liplilrc flange `or collar at the end. each such flange having an upper and a lowervi'ace which' will be horizontal in the usual inclined poz-ition ol' the retort, that'l can assemble retorts with supporting and spacing elements having corresponding faces and located between thelower and upper retorts in such a way as to secure the desired good vertical support at intervals along the line of the retort, distributing the thrusts which otherwise would come on the front wall ol'Vr the gas bench; the shape of such a flange allowing the conversion of longitudinal thrust into vertical thrust. 'In other words, being taken up by the spacing and supporting elements, the thrust of each section instead of being in part longitudinal is converted into vertical thrust and is transferred to the vertical support formedby the liplike llanges and the connecting and spacing elements. These connecting or tile sections allow the retoits to be spaced apart to secure good heat distribution. lVith a plurality of superimposed retorts in an ordinarygas bench, at the abutting ends of sections ofthe retorts, there is an intermediate vertical support engaging the liplike flanges. v

The end flanges of the several sections or sub-retorts may be, and advantageously are, continuous around the ends of the sections to form a flange collar, thereby enabling a side support in much the same Way to lock the component segments in place. The flange may be of the same height at all ,points and extend out from the body of the retort an equal distance all around but more advantageously it diminishes in height toward the middle of the sides of the retort, giving a more nearly vertical side surface for engagement with lateral supporting segment-locking members. The tendency of the weight of the retort, and of the weights resting on the retort, is to pro duce flattening out or spreading of the retort and with these built-up retorts the side locking member under the present invention is useful as taking'stress ofi' the luted or cemented joints.

The described invention may of course be applied to any number of retorts assembled together in any suitable gas bench or to a single retort. tarbonizing chamber or oven, and may be applied to sectif'inal and vsci ,fmental retorts of other material thanV silica.

In the accompanying illustration l have shown, more or diagrammatically, an embodiment of my invention.

ln thisr showing Figure l .shows a f-retort gas bench in vertical transverse section with certain parts in elevation of the structure of Fig. Z. tht` section on the lel't being along lim'l and that on the right being along -line l-- l of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section along line li---F of rtorts or sections (1U are shown) l united end-to-end along its length and each of these sections in turn is built up of a plurality of tongued and grooved slabs or segments As shown, there is a division of the lire chamber into :i plurality of separate subchambers, there being as many as there are retort sections, and the division being effected by a corresponding number ol' tile walls. These tile walls have the double function of suprnirting the section ends, each adjacent pair of section ends meeting in a tile wall, and,of forming these -subchambcl's. The tileiwalls, which support and side-lock the section ends, mayv be formed of as many cooperating tile members as may be necessary, the shape of these members of course varying somewlnit with the number employed. As shown (see Fig. 1), there are two tile members between vertically adjacent sections and four between laterally adjacent sectionlends. fewer cooperating tile members may be used, but the number' of tiles and the shapes shown are convenient. These tile walls fit closely to the top and bottom of the section ends which they engage. closing olf the subcharnbers between the walls from communi cation at this point; but the sere 'ali members of which tliey are composed are so shaped and arranged as to take the, weight of an engaging upper section and without communicating it to the sc'ction end next below. to transfer such weight laterally to the tile members forming the division between laterally adjacent retort sections. In effect the tile or tiles between vertically ad# jacent pairs of section ends form a weighttransmitting arch. as well as a Spacing means and means for'closing the sub-chartibers mentioned'. As will be apparent from ,an inspection of Fig. l, the various tile sections are of such shape as to cooperate in securing the retorts in place. Tiles 5 between vertically adjacent retorts in one section see Fig. '2) areA advantageously of a Z-shape for a purpose later explained. At each end the retorts provided Withend More or pieces 6, which mayadvantag'eously be Vof clay, ofa shape adapted to engage'with and continue the reto'rts, these end pieces being in and carried by'iwalls 7 and 8. At the top, the .vertical tile walls engagetransverse elements 9 and l() in such' a manner as t0 seeure 'them at the` upper endiiand prevent backward thrustvof the'tile walls due tothe sliding of the inclined joint between the roof 15T-and the tile wall.- tends to rise and fall" somewhat by expansi'on and 'contraction this arrangement is advantageous Referring now mainly to Figs. 2 and 4, it

will be seen that each of the retort sect-ions' jecting outof its-general longitudinal lin'e and`A`J having horizontal bearing surfaces above and below and working out tov a vertical-bearing at the sides. This lug or flange at the top of the lower end of each sectionj.

is designated (see Fig. 4) as 14. and at thev top of the upper end as 15 while that atthe bottom ofthe lower end isil and .thatgah .the` bottom vof the upper end is -17. It will.

befobserved that the faces of 14 and'15 and rlf3-and 17 at the abutting end of thetwo seetions.; are out of liney or. are staggered leai* lingavertical face 18 forwardly presented and a vertical face 19 rearwardly presented atgthe meeting ends of thel two sections. This allows the use of the Z-shaped'tile (5').

between each-vertical pair of retorts, form-- inga supporting means. The use of this tile betw'veenthe upper and lower retorts allows thern to be spaced apart vertically somewhat', allowing free access of fire vgases tothe tops and bottoms of the retorts. This much conduces to good heating. Further with the character of jointindieated, vil the t'wo section ends are assembled. a'.l little loosely, as Athey advantageously may be.'an opportunity` to workback and .forth a little without. disturbing the `'tightness of the oint is a'lfi'vrded.v .In array, without interfering with Athe gas-tight qualities of the'retort', itis converted int-o a plurality1 of vertically supported' independent sections; thevertical stress being communicated through the Z-shaped tiles and around the retorts to the base. 'The assemblage of tiles is. best seen LinFig. 1. Special tiles Q0 support the hottommost retorts. Mouthpieces 6 are suitably ,As ther retort stack contouredl to -v engage 'Z-tile elements ='.1'. A MetalI bars ax'reinforce the 'front wall. 'The slab-like segments (2) similarly engage with each' otherr f through tongueand-groove' joints; and the side segmentsarefprovided with a flange corresponding to that at the top andV bottom.A As shown. in Fig.73 itfis;

.somewhat reduced in elevation 0n thesepside flanges to give`a `more or: less `vertical vbearing surface. This bearing surface engages with intermediate lateral supporting and Y' v The i sidev supporting tiles 2'2 'and 23. tendency lof the weight of the retorts and' their contents is to cai'ise a flattening and'V lthese side flanges give a locking .supportato the segments .which takes-much of the stress l' off the tongue-and-groove joints between the segments and the cement therein.' Thejoints between the lower sections may be, as shown in Fig. 3, radial, giving an arch. formatiom'd 0r may be vertical,E as shownin -Fig.= 1.

.fis Ashown Vthe gas bench is providedwith the usual side walls 24 and recuperator ele-'g ments (designated as a wholefby 25) lfor heating inflowing air. v V

In the .structure of Figs. 5 and 6' the sev` eral elements are substantially the'same vas in Figs. 1 and 2; these figures showing' the I use of .a single retort in acliainber instead of the nine retorts 'of Figsul; and 2. The

retort is supported andspaced' from the walls of the heating chamber by side tiles :26, which has the same function as tlie tile walls in Figs.v 1 and 2. -rflheiretort restsl on y elements 2() in the same manner as the lower.-` nist. rctorts of Fig. 2. Y.. "liat I claimV is 1. In a gas bench,I a retort composed a pluralityV of multisegmental sections in mutual' abutment, bearing flanges on said sec-A tions, vertical supporting wall members engaging the sections at the point of abutment and lateral wall members also engagingfthe' sections.

2. In a gas bench, a plurality-ofinclined- .sectional retorts in superimposed relation.-

the abutting sections of each i'etorl'flxingy horizontal planes, vertical spacing and supporting means between vertically adjacent retorts having bearing surfaces engaging the' provided at each end with a collar flange having bearing surfaces in substantially-v collar flanges of both `said vertically adje-fl cent retorts, said spacing and .supporting means ea'ch being arrangedto'receii-e the weight of the ret-ort section aboveit and to4 `transi'nit the strain of such weight laterally, y and means for receiving lateral, strains 3. In a gas bench, -a plurality' of 'inclined secti'onalrctorts i'n superimposed relation, .the abuttingJseetions of each retort being provided at each end with a collar flange having bearing surfaces in l s'ubstantially horizontal planes with the bearing'surfaces of abutting flanges out of line.: vertical spac-.

ing and supporting means between vertically adjacent retoits having bearing surfaces engaging the collar flanges ot' both said vertically adjacent retorts, said ,spacing and supporting means each being arrangedl to receive the Weight of the retort Section above it and to transmit the strain of such weight laterally, and means for receiving said lateral `Strains.

4. In a gas bench', a plurality ofy inclined sectional retorts spaced apart in vertiral and horizontal Series, the abutting sections of each retort being provided at each end with a collar flange having upper and lower horizontal surfaces, tiles engaging such snrfaces intermediate each upper and lower retort section at the point of abutment of adjoining sections and Serving to close the joint therebetween, and tile similarly located between laterally adjacent retorts andI laterallyengaging the collar flanges, Said tiles being in thrust-receiving relationship to the first named tiles.

5. In a gas bench, a pluralit)Y of inclined sectional retorts spaced apart in iertical and horizontal `series, the abutting .sections of each retort being provided ai each end. with a collar flange having upper and lower horizontal surfaces with the Sui-facerof abutting flangesl out of horizontal lin 'tiles engaging such Surfaces intermediate earnupper and lower retort at tbe point ot abutment of adjoining Sections and serving to close the joint thereiiietween, and tiles rnilarly located between later-all)v adjacent re torts and laterallii engaging the collar fiangea, said tilt-s being in tl'irust-receiving relatf'inliiy) to the tirst named til e.

6. In a gai#4 bench. a plurali@v of inclined retorts in vertical series, each such retort being composed of a plurality of n'iultisegmental sections in mutual abutment and each auch section carrying a flange at each end. vertical tile supporting rnen'ibers engaging each abutting pair of collars and covering the joint therebetween.` interme diate members' also Serving as spacing means, and lateral tile Vmembers similarly engaging and supporting the collars at the sides.

7, ln a gas bench, a. plurality ol' inclined. retorts in vertical series, each such retort being composed of a pluralityY of multirzegmental sections in mutual abutment and each such- .section carrying a flange at the end. the abutting collars having horizontal surfaces out of line with ea'ch other, vertical tile supporting members engaging eac-li abutting pair of collars and covering the joint therebetween, intermediate members also serving as-a spacing means, and lateral tile members similarly engaging and supporting the, collars at the. fades. Y

. ln a bench, a plurality of inclined retorts in vertical Series, each such `retort being compowd olv a pluralitvi of niultisegmental Sections in mutual abutment and each .auch section carrying a flange collar at the end, 'vertical tile supl'iorting members engaging each abutting pair of collare:` intermediate membersl serving as spacing means, and lateral tile members similarly engaging and supporting the collars at the eines.

l). In a retort, a retort section composed of laterally assembled longitudinal Segments and provided with a flange collar at each end.

il), ln a retort,.a retort Section composed of laterally assembled longitudinal S'egments and provided with a flange collar at each end, said collar above and below having bearing surfaces at such an angle to the axis oi the lQiection as will adapt such surfaces to a horizontal position in an inclined position of the section,

il. 'In a retort, a retort set-tion composed or" laterally assembled longitudinal segments and provided with a flange collar at each end, said collar above and below having bearing surfl-a-ces at such an angle to the axis of the section as will adapbsuch surlaf-i to a horizontal position in an inclined position of the sectiomand said collar having vertical faces on the sides of the Section.

l2. A Igas bench comprising a pluraliti.l ot inclined retorts, intermediate nertical retort supporting walls spaced apart along the length of said retorts and longitudinal .spacing menioers engaging `Said walls above the tog, ol' said rctorts.

13. ln a gas bench, a plurality of inclined retorts in vertical series, each of said retorts being in a plurality of abutting Sections, the abutting ends being furniShe/d with stepped cr'illars, and a built-up Sectional tile wall engaging and Spacing apart said collars, the portion of thewall between the collars of upper and lower retortS closingA the space there ctween and serving assan arch to support the weight of the upper retort and said wall also comprising an extension along the sides of the lower rc- 'tort and receiving the thrust of said portion.

i4. vlin a gas bench, a pluralit)v of vertically spaced inclined retorts, and a plurality of liz'irizontally spaced inclined retorts, each such retort comprising` abutting multisegmental sections` vertical spacing and sup' porting means located at the points of abutment in vertical series, and lateral separat ing means between retorts in horizontal series operating locking supports for the segmental Sections.

15. retort bench comprising` supporting Walle.y and an inclined retort "ierein, said retort comprising a plurality of abutting sections each consieting et adjoining flaterally united segments and being spaced ture the presence of two sbscribing witand supported in said walls by vertical Aneslsfs.

supporting means engagin the points of Y GLENN H NILES abutment of the sections an by lateral sup- 5 orting segment locking members engag- Witnesses:

g1 the sides of the segments. H. C. ZIMMERMAN, n testimony whereof, I ax my signa- E. MACCANNON. 

